Retirement age of doctors to be raised to 60.

The UDF has recommended a raise in the pension age of doctors including those in the specialty cadre in health services to 60 years.

A meeting of the UDF liaison committee held here on Wednesday made the plea to the government as there was a shortage of specialist doctors, and nearly 70 doctors retiring in March.

Though an advertisement was placed for appointment of doctors in existing vacancies, there were few takers.

UDF convener P.P. Thankachan told reporters that a decision on raising the pension age of doctors in ayurveda and homeo medical college will be taken at the next liaison committee meeting on February 8.

Of the five new medical colleges proposed in the government sector, those at Idduki, Pathanamthitta,Kasargod and Alappuzha will start functioning the next academic year itself.

The medical college at Malappuram will be established later. Charitable societies will be established to mobilise funds for these colleges on a public private partnership (PPP) model.

The colleges will have 50 percent seats in government quota and the rest in management quota. Investors will be given certain privileges in treatment and also in respect of the admissions to management quota.

Representatives of Kerala Congress (B) did not attend the meeting, in view of the current stand off between party leader R. Balakrishna Pillai and forest minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar.

Leaders flay udf at kpcc meet

Senior Congress leaders Wednesday used a top party forum to lambast the UDF dispensation for “sidetracking” their demands in ways as to safeguard the interests of the other coalition partners.

Disgruntled leaders took the government to task for some of the major decisions in the recent weeks, as ebullient K. Sudhakaran MP led the barrage of criticism, asking how “undue” favours were given to a particular community, something which “worked to the advantage of the CPI(M) and the BJP.”

They were participating in the discussions at the joint meeting of KPCC office-bearers and DCC presidents here.

Sudhakaran also asked why Congress leaders were not consulted before making appointments of police officers in Kannur district, and why he was not included in the director board of the Kannur Airport even though he represented the constituency in the Lok Sabha.

Leaders, including KPCC general secretary N. Venugopal came down heavily on IUML leader and social welfare minister M.K. Muneer, saying he appeared to be safeguarding the interests of the CPM at the Kudumbasree elections.

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